prize whip, petrus rienstra

“Every year, in the first week of August a harness race shall be held with a Gold Whip as first prize, to be handed over to the winner by the Governor of the Province of Friesland. “

Prijszweep, Petrus Rienstra, 1811

Prize whip, Petrus Rienstra, 1811. Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Harness racing was a very popular sport among the Frisians, even more so than football! First prize was a gold or silver whip – a valuable showpiece which was not intended for actual use, like the fine specimen on display here.